Brazil Feb/March 2007 Day 2
Okay we're now rockin'. I have got myself moved to the room I was in when I was here last. It has a wired internet connection so no more connection problems. Nadeem and I have worked out a simple system to transfer my photographs to my laptop so all is well. Today's diary also has some pictures from yesterday.
Mohammed and Yih Jia at Heathrow
Arrival at Sao Paulo
We had a great day today. We have been seeing patients all day. Because Karen has broken her leg (Get well soon Karen) I am working with Raj and helping out with the others as much as I can. They don't really need me as a tutor at the moment anyway. I guess my role at the moment is more like a mentor and of course learning myself about how things are done in Brazil. There are loads of tutors, Marcelo, Dr Vani and this afternoon Kelly came in too. It was great to see her again.
Dr Vani Teixera who lectured in the morning of day 1
Taking notes in the classroom
Husband and wife team and freeform thinkers Rosana and Tomas
Everyone is being very kind about me trying to speak Portuguese. For example Dr Vani has been introducing me to other people from the University and introducing me as the English guy who can speak Portuguese, Kelly is being extremely helpful and has said that I am only allowed to speak Portuguese with her when I am on the clinic and that way I will get better. She is right about that even though it is kind of uncomfortable. Since learning French I have found that the only way to learn a new language is to dive in and not worry about making a fool of yourself. I got over the embarrassment factor doing French so I am not worried about that anymore.
I have been having little exchanges with the patients which has worked out okay except for one occasion. We have been taking impressions today using special implant transfer components. You have to take an x-ray to check that everything is placed correctly before taking the final impression. With one lady we had three out of the four spot on but needed more work on the other. I tried to explain this to the patient but I think she thought that I had said that one whole implant needed to be redone. Arianne came and rescued the situation.
Outside the hospital with me sporting my Panama hat, Yih Jia, Margaret and Mohammed.
Nadeem, Yih Jia, Margaret and Mohammed in "Le Cafe Mohammed". This is next door to the hospital. Mohammed sneaks out several times a day for his caffeine fix and a fag.
It was the birthday of Rosa one of the assistants in the hospital so they had a little ceremony for her in the Department. We sang happy birthday to her iand each of us wished her Happy Birthday in English. "Okay?" she said. I think she got the idea.
Margaret and Deirdre on the clinic looking particularly fine in their fashionable hats
In the evening we stayed in the hotel again and had a laugh over dinner. Kelly says that I have to write some of my diary in Portuguese so we'll see. I'll have to work on that.
More tomorrow.